Marie Windstein is a movement ecologist with two master degrees in environmental management and marine ecology. Her greatest concern for our oceans is the degradation of coastal ecosystems and its consequences on marine diversity. Through both academic and professional experiences, Marie has gained an in-depth understanding of the ecological value of our coasts and witnessed the widespread conservation challenges associated with our ever-increasing use of coastal areas. Rooted in a life-long passion for the ocean, her research interests stand at the intersection of spatial ecology and marine conservation. With outstanding training in geospatial analysis and a particular enthusiasm for biologging technologies, Marie seeks to study animal movement and behaviour to achieve practical conservation outcomes. Working in collaboration with local managers, her goal is to understand movement patterns and habitat use to develop tailored management strategies and protect ecologically, culturally, and economically important species.
Designed in collaboration with the Karajarri Traditional Owners and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Marie’s research uses two-way science to investigate the spatial ecology of sharks and rays in the nearshore environment of the newly created Karajarri Sea Country Indigenous Protected Area. Using acoustic telemetry, they investigate the fine-scale movements of two globally threatened species of sawfish and two culturally important species of stingray in a communal elasmobranch nursery. The data generated by this work will bring quantitative insights into the local movement patterns, ecological connectivity, and habitat-associated behaviours of two of the most imperilled elasmobranch species in the world as well as two species of critical importance for local customary harvest. For the Karajarri Sea Country managers, the knowledge arising from this work will be key in developing a tailored management strategy for sharks and rays on their Sea Country, as well as preserving an important part of their natural and cultural heritage.